Tripping mechanism for recordchanging apparatus



Sept. 28, 1943. A. L. KNOX 2,330,293

TRIPPING MECHANISM FOR RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed May 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 .Sept. 28, 19 A. L. KNOX 2,330,293 TRIPFING MECHANISM FOR RECORD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed May 15, 1941 :s Sheets-She et 2 mv'mo'n" "QARTHURLNKNOX Sept. 28, 1943. A. L. KNOX- 2,330,293

TRIPFING MECHANISM FOR RECOl RD CHANGING APPARATUS Filed. May 15, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 PIC-3.4

FIG.6

' element is moved more than the Patented Sept. 28, 1943 TRIPPING MECHANISM FOR RECORD- CHANGING APPARATUS Arthur L. Knox, Fort Wayne, Ind., assignor to Farnsworth Telev sion and Radio Corporation, a corporation of Delaware l 1 Application May 15, 1941, Serial No. 39 3,600

10 Claims.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial N0."332,252 filed April 29,

1940, now Patent No. 2,286,490, issued June 16, l

1942, relates .to record-changing apparatus and more particularly to control mechanism adapted to be used with automatic record changin-g apparatus, l

Theobject of the invention is to provide an improved and simplified control mechanism to be used with a tripping mechanism adapted to initiate a record-changing operation in a recordchanging apparatus.

Another object of the invention is toprovide an improved control mechanism which gives positive action when used with a tripping mechanism adapted to initiate a record-changing operation in record-changing apparatus.

In accordance with the present invention,

there is provided in a record-changing apparatus, including a continuously rotating means, an initiating member and a movable pickup arm, a control mechanism. The control mechanism comprises a connecting member frictionally associated with the pickup arm to move therewith and adapted to be moved relative to the pickup arm against the force imparted thereby, a freely movable element responsive to the movement of said connecting member upon movement of the latter with the pickup armland responsive to the movement of the rotating means, and control means operatively associated with the freely movable element; the initiating member, and the rotating member. Normally, the control means is movable a predetermined distance during each revolution of the rotating means, without disengaging th e initiating member, by the freely movable element, upon movement of the latter a first distance by said connecting means andsaid pickup arm. Also, the control means is movable the predetermined distance in a reverse direction during each revolution of the rotating means, by the rotating "means. When the freely movable first distance by the connecting member and the pickup arm, the

control means is moved more than the predetermined distance to effect the release of the initiating member into the path of said rotating means, whereby said rotating means moves said initiating member to initiate a record-changing operation.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, there is provided in a recordchanging apparatus, including a rotatable turntable, means for moving records to said turntable and a movable pickup arm to cooperate with a record on said turntable, a control mechanism. The pickup arm, when in engagement with a playing groove of a record, is adapted to move a predetermined distance during each revolution f-the turntable. Also, the pickup arm,

- when in engagement with a tripping groove of a record, is adapted to move more than .the predetermined distance during each revolution of the turntable. The control mechanism comprises a clutch member connected to the pickup arm in a predetermined position to move therewith, a spring, an element frictionally associ 'ated With the clutch member and being conmember 'to bring the connecting means into engagement with the element before the pickup arm enters a tripping groove of a record on the turntable. The control mechanism also includes control means operatively associated with the connecting member and adapted to be moved thereby, an initiating member adapted normally to be held out of operative position by the con trol means, and continuously rotating means. The rotating means is adapted to move the initiating member when the latter is released by the control means. The rotating means, also, is adapted to interrupt intermittently the movement of the control means and the connecting means with the clutch member and the pickup arm. When the pickup arm moves. into a tripping groove of a record and the rotating member interrupts the movement of the control means .and the connecting member with the clutch member and the pickup arm, the connecting member develops tension in the spring so that, when the rotating means releases the control means, the tension of the spring moves the element and therewith the connecting means and the control means'sufiiciently far to release the initiating member into operative position with the rotating means to initiate a record-changing operation.

For a better understanding of the invention, together with other and furtherobiects thereof, reference is made to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the record-changing apparatus showing a group of records supported over the turntable and two records on the turntable in playing position;

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the record-changing apparatus, showing the cam and lever arrangement for raising and lowering the pickup arm;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the underside of the record-changing apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a partial side elevation, showing a stack of records in supported position with a larger record in position to be released;

Figs. 5 and 6 show two fragmentary views of a stack of records supported on a record-supporting spindle with the lowermost record in two different positions as it is being moved from the spindle to the turntable;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the peripheral supporting means for a stack of intermixed records and means for releasing the supported records one at a time to playing position upon the turntable;

8 is an exploded perspective view of the friction clutch assembly used with the tripping mechanism shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified clutch mechanism adapted to operate the tripping mechanism shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 10 is a view of the clutch mechanism shown in Fig. 9 as it appears when it is assembled for operating purposes.

Referring now more particularly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the invention here illustrated embodies a. record-changing and reproducing apparatus including a base plate l supporting a horizontally rotatable turntable upon which is shown records |2 in position for reproduction. A pickup or reproducer I3 is supported at the end of a pickup arm l4, which is pivoted at its opposite end about the vertical axis of shaft l (Figs. 1 and 2) to permit the reproducer to move across the'face of the top record (on the turntable H) as the needle l8 of the reproducer |4 tracks the playing groove of the top record.

Fig. 1, which is a side elevation of the recordchanging apparatus, shows the manner in which a number of unplayed records I! are supported in a stack above the turntable by means of a spindle H! which extends above the turntable The spindle I8 is provided with an ofiset end I9 which is formed a suitable distance above the turntable II and which forms a left shoulder 20. The shoulder 20 engages the lowermost supported record at the peripheral edge of the centering aperture in the manner shown in Fig. 1. The ofiset portion IQ of the spindle 8 terminates in a tapered portion 2| which facilitates the loading of the records upon the shoulder 20. The offset portion IQ of the spindle I8 has a right shoulder 22 at its lower end and at such elevation that only the lowermost supported record can be moved under it. The mechanism for moving records will be described hereafter.

The supported records I! are balanced upon the shoulder 2|! of the centering spindle IS in a substantially horizontal position by a suitable weight 26 slidably mounted on the oiTset portion IQ of the centering spindle l3 (Figs. 1 and 4).

The turntable I is driven by a frictional wheel 2! (shown in dotted lines under the turntable in Fig. 1) which operatively engages the friction wheel 28, which is driven by the motor 29.

The detailed construction of the record-movin mechanism is shown in Fig. 7. In a housing 25, there is provided an opening 30. A spring-biased channel-shaped lever 3|, which is pivotally connected to the housing 25 by a pin 31, is adapted to move in and out of the opening 30. A lever 23 is pivotally secured to the upper end of the lever 3| and is biased by a spring 32 to the horizontal position shown in Figs. 1 and '7 of the drawings. A toggle member 24 is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the lever 23 at 24A. Tips 35 and 36 at each end of the toggle member 24 are adapted to extend through openings or slots-33 and 34 provided in the lever 23. The mass of the toggle member 24 is so distributed that, when the toggle member 24 is in its normal position, the tip 35 extends through the opening 33 and, when a force is applied downwardly on the tip 35', then the toggle member 24 pivots to a position where the tip 36 extends through the opening 34.

Secure to the lower end of the lever 3| is a cam 38 normally biased by a spring 39 (Fig. 1) to a forward position in the path of a pin 40, which is connected to a mutilated gear 4| and moves therewith. When the pin 40, in-moving with the mutilated gear 4|, engages the cam 38, the lever 3| is pivoted about the axis of the pin 31. The pivotal movement of the lever 3| moves the lever 23 and therewith the toggle member 24 toward the spindle (Figs. 1 and 4) to move the lowermost supported record out of engagement with its supports, so that it may move into playing position on the turntable.

When the lowermost supported record is a 10- inch record, the tip 35 of the toggle member 24 is adapted to engage the peripheral edge of the 10-inch record to move it free of its supports. When the lowermost supported record is a 12- inch record, it forces the tip 35 downwardly and the tip 36 is raised to a position as shown in Fig. 4 where it is adapted to engage the peripheral edge of the 12-inch record to free it from its supports.

When the lowermost supported record is disengaged from its supports, it exerts a downward force on the lever 23 as it moves into playing position on the turntable. The force of the record applied to the lever 23 pivots the lever 23 about its connection to the lever 3| in a counterclockwise direction and against the biasing action of the spring 32. Immediately after the released record drops past the lever 23 in its pivoted position, the lever is returned to its normal horizontal position, shown in Fig. 7, by the biasing spring 32.

The mutilated gear 4|, partially shown in Fig. '7, is shown completely in Fig. 3. A mutilated-portion 42 of the gear 4| is shown opposite a pinion gear 43 which is fixed to the shaft 44. The purpose of the mutilation 42 is to break the driving connection between the gear 4| and the pinion 43 after the gear 4| is driven through one revolution. One complete revolution of the mutilated gear 4| defines one cycle of record-changing operation, as will be evident later.

When a record on. the turntable has been completely played, and the pickup arm reaches the tripping groove on the record, the movement of the pickup arm initiates the operation of a tripping mechanism presently to be described, and causes the mutilated gear 4| to be moved surficiently far so that its teeth mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 43. The mutilated gear 4| thereupon is driven through one revolution about the axis of a shaft4-5 and comes to rest in the position shown in Fig. 3.

During the revolution of the cam gear 4|, several operations are performed. The pickup arm is raised out of engagement with the top record on the turntable and is moved from the center of the record to its outwardmost position. The lowermost supported record is moved to playing position on the turntable, as has just been'dethat the roller 49 is in continual engagement with the cam surface 46. This is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings. The movement of the cam surface 46 pivots the arm 41 in a vertical plane. The upward movement of the lefthand end (Fig.2) of the arm 41 raises the pin in the hollow shaft l5. The upper end of the pin 5| engages the underside of the pickup arm I4 and raises the needle of the pickup arm l4 from the surface of a record on the turntable. i

The pickup arm I4 is fixed to the upper end of the hollow shaft l5, which is rotatable within a pedestal 52 fixed to the base plate I. A lever 53 is fixed to the lower end of the hollow shaft l5. Referring particularly to Fig. 3 of the drawin'gs, it is seen that the free end of the lever 53 supports a pin 54; which moves within an aperture 55 in the heel of an L-shaped lever 56. The aperture 55 is sufficiently large so that the pin 54, under the control of the pickup arm I4, may

freely move over the full playing surface of ,a

record on the turntable. The L-shaped lever 56 is pivotally connected to the base plate at 51.

A toe 56A of the L-shaped' lever 56 engages the surface of a cam 58, also provided on the mutilated gear 4|. The toe 56A is biased into contin-' uous engagement with the cam surface 58 by a. biasing'spring '59. After the needle of the pickup arm has been raised out of engagement with the surface of a record on the turntable, in the manner previously described, and as the mutilated gear 4| continues to rotate, the cam 58 moves the L-shaped lever 56 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivotal connection 51 and causes the right side of the aperture 55 to engage and move before it the pin 54. The action of the L- shaped lever 56 on the pin 54 and the lever 53 causes rotary movement of the shaft l5. This rotary movement of the shaft l5 causes the pickup arm l4 to move in a radial direction away from the center of the record. he cam 58 is so shaped that it moves the L-shaped lever '56 in a counterclockwise direction immediately after the needle of the reproducer has been raised out of By this time, the cam surface 46 has rotated to the position shown in Fig. 2. In reaching this position, the contour of the cam surface 46 permits the spring 50 to pivot the lever 41 in a vera revolution of the turntable relative to the radial distance it moves during a revolution of the turntable while. it is tracking the playing groove of a record on the turntable, or to a predetermined distance from the center of the turntable. If the tripping mechanism incorporates the clutch shown in Figs. 9 and 10, which is the same clutch which is shown in Figs. 3 and 8 except that the spring 68 is removed or made inoperative, then the operation of the tripping mechanism will be initiated only on the abnormal movement of the pickup arm.

The tripping mechanism will now be described, after which the detailed construction of the clutch mechanism will be described. The pickup record is being reproduced. In moving toward I the center of the record, the pickup arm moves with it the hollow shaft 5. The hollow shaft engagement with a record on the turntable' After the pickup arm 4 is swung to its outwardm'ost position, the lowermost supported record is moved into playing position on the record in a manner previously described. Shortly thereafter, the cam 58 moves to a point where the toe 56A of the L-shaped lever 56 begins to move to the right under the action of the spring 59. When this occurs, the lefthand edge of the aperture 55 engages the pin 54 and moves the pin, the lever 53 and the shaft I5, whereby the pickup arm I4 is moved to a position were the needle of the pickup arm is over the initial playing groove of the record moved to the turntable.

has secured to it a clutch 60 shown in Figs. 3 and 8 or a clutch such as is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. The detailed construction of these clutches will be described hereafter. As the shaft l5 rotates in response to the inward movement of the pickup arm' l4, a member 6|, which is a part of both clutch mechanisms, is moved in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 3). When the member 6| is moved in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 3), it is adapted to engage and move therewith a lever 62 before the pickup arm reaches the tripping groove of a record on the turntable. The

lever 62 is supported between the clutch 60 and r the member 53 to rotate freely about the axis of the shaft IS. The free end of thelever 62 is bent downwardly as shown in Fig. 2, to engage one end of the lever 63 (Fig. 3) which is pivoted intermediate its ends on the bottom side of thebase plate Ill. ,The opposite end of the lever 63 (Fig. 3) normally engages one end of the lever 64 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on the cam gear 4| to pivot in a vertical shaft 44 which also supports the pinion 43.

are moved thereby in' a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 3). The lower end of the lever 63 carries the leaf spring 65 which is adapted to be moved in the path of a cam 61, which i fixed to rotate with the shaft 44. When the spring E6 is in the path of the cam 61, it is struck periodically thereby to move the members 62 and BI in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3). This clockwise movement transmitted to the member El permits it to change its position with respect to the pickup arm. Where a clutch such as that shown in Figs. 3 and 8 is embodied in the tripping mechanism, the clockwise movement (Fig. 3) of the lever 8| causes an ear 13 thereon to move toward an car 78. When the pickup arm reaches the tripping groove of a record on the turntable, the lever GI, and therewith the members 62 and 63, are moved by the pickup arm I4 during a revolution of the turntable, more than the distance that they are moved by the pickup arm when the pickup arm is tracking the playing groove of a record on the turntable. The abnormal movement of the members SI, 62 and 63 is suflicient to release the member 64 from engagement with the lever 53. Thereupon the lower end of the lever 64 under the force of gravity move into the path of the pin 65. As the pin 65 rotates it engages the lower end of the lever 64 and moves it, and therewith the mutilated gear 4|, in a horizontal plane sufficiently far so that the teeth of the mutilated gear 4| mesh with the teeth of the pinion gear 43, after which the pinion drives the mutilated gear 4! through one revolution to effect a record-changing cycle.

If the tripping mechanism embodies the clutch shown in Figs. 3 and 8 and this clutch is properly set, which setting will be more clearly described when this clutch is described in detail, the tripping mechanism will also operate when the pickup arm reaches a predetermined position from the center of the turntable. Under thi condition when the pickup arm reaches the predetermined position from the center of the turntable, the ear 73 will come into engagement with the ear "'6. Thereafter the lever 6| can be moved in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3) only against the biasing action of a spring 68, as will presently be shown in greater detail when the detailed construction of the clutch 60 is. described, Thus, when the cam 67 does strike the leaf spring 66 after the pickup arm has reached the predetermined position from the center of the turntable, the members 63, 62 and 61 are moved in a clockwise direction Fig. 3) creating a tension upon the spring 58. Immediately after the cam 67 passes out of engagement with the spring 66, the members 03, 62 and SI ar returned in a counterclockwise direction by the tension on the spring E8. The return movement is sufficiently great so that the lever 63 is moved out of engagement with the lever E4 to initiate a record changing cycle.

The fixed stop 59 is secured to the bottom of the base plate ID. The stop 69 has an end 10 turned at right angles thereto and is positioned in the path of movement of the member 6|. As the pickup arm 14 is swung to it outwardmost position. during the record-changing cycle, it moves the member 5! in a clockwise direction Fig. 3) into engagement with the stop 69. The engagement of these elements occurs before the pickup arm 14 is swung to its outermost position.

Thus after the member 6! and the stop 69 are in engagement, and the pickup arm l4 continues to move outwardly, the member 6| adJusts its angular position relative to the pickup arm through the slipping connection provided by the clutch 60 or the clutch shown in Figs. 9 and 10. As a result the member BI is positioned well forward on the pickup arm as the latter isreturned to the playing groove of the record and insures positive engagement of the members BI, 52 and 63 prior to the time when the needle IS on the pickup arm l4 reaches the tripping groove of the record on the turntable.

The various parts of the clutch 60 are shown in detail in Fig. 8. A flanged sleeve H is fixed to .of the fixed member II.

the shaft I5 in a suitable manner so that the ear 13 engages the ear 16 when the pickup arm reaches a predetermined distance from the center of the turntable. The pickup arm I4 is also fixed to the shaft l5 to move therewith. A plate 12 with the member GI and the ear 13 extending therefrom is mounted in frictional relationship with the upper surface of the flanged portion of the member II. A suitable frictional Wash r 14, preferably of a fibrous material, is slipped over the plate 12 and around the sleeve of the memhot H. A plate 15 with the turned-down ear 16 is placed over the fibre washer l4 and around the sleeve of the member "II. The ear [3 and the ear 16 are so related that the clockwise movement (Fig. 3) of the plate 12 and the lever 6| will bring the ear 13 into engagement with the ear 16. A spring washer TI is placed over the plate 15 and around the sleeve of the member H. A flanged cover member 18 is screwed on the sleeve of the member H 50 that the bottom of the flanged portion of the cover member 18 rest on the spring Washer 11. The pressure which is applied to the rest of 'the members of the clutch is adjustable so that the spring washer "I1 maintains an even fric tional engagement between the plate 15 and the fibre washer 14. The spring 68 has one end connected to a pin 19 provided on the outer flange The other end of the spring i connected to the turned-down ear 76 on the plate 15. Thus, it will be readily seen that When the ear 13 engages and moves the ear (6, a tension will be created in the spring 68. As has been explained before, the tension created in the spring 68 will initiate the operation of the tripping mechanism when the pickup arm reaches a predetermined position from the center of the turntable.

The tripping mechanism shown in Fig. 3 and described above, also can be operated by the clutch mechanism such as that shown in Figs. 9 and 10 of the drawings. This clutch mechanism includes the flanged sleeve member II which is fixed to the shaft l5. As has been pointed out above, the pickup arm I4 is also fixed to the shaft l5 to move therewith. The friction washer 74 is slipped over the sleeve portion of th member H and is adapted to rest on the flanged portion of the member H. Th annular plate 12 with the member 6| extended therefrom, is placed around the sleeve portion of the member H and is adapted to rest in frictional relationship on the upper surface of the frictional washer 74. The spring washer ll i placed around the sleeve portion of the member H and rests on the annular plate T2. The flanged cover member I8 is screwed down on the sleeve portionof the member H sufficiently far so that the spring washer 1'! main tains an even frictional engagement between the element 12 and the friction washer 74. A the pickup arm 14 moves inwardly, while a record on the turntable is being reproduced, it rotates therewith the shaft 15 and moves the member 6| in a counterclockwise direction ,(Fig. 3). The members GI, 62 and 63 are brought into engagement with each other, as shown in Fig. 3, before the pickup arm [4 enters the tripping groove of the record on the turntable. After the members GI, 62 and 63 are in engagement with each other and while the pickup arm I4 is still tracking the playing groove of the record on the turntable, the element 66 of the member 63 is moved just far enough to be placed in the path of the rotating cam member 61 during each revolution of the turntable and the shaft 44. The cam member 61 periodically strikes the element 66 thereby interrupting and moving the members 63, 62 and 6| a corresponding distance in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3). When the pickup arm moves into the tripping groove of the record on the turntable, the members 6|, 62 and 63 are moved a relatively greater distance in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 3) during a revolution of the turntable than they moved when the stylus of the pickup arm was tracking the playing grooves of a record on the turntable. This relatively greater movement in both speed and distance, of the members 6|, 62 and 63, when the stylus of the pickup arm is in the tripping groove of a record on the turntable, permit the disengagement of the lever 64 from the lever 63 before the cam 61 interrupts the counter-clockwise movement (Fig. 3) of the lever 63. The disengagement of the levers 63 and 64 initiates a record changing cycle as has been previously explained.

The advantage of the clutch shown in Figs. 3 and 8 over the clutch shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is that, if for some reason the abnormal movement of the pickup arm does not initiate the operation of the tripping mechanism, the tension created in the spring 68 of the clutch 68, when the pickup arm reaches a position which is a predetermined distance from the center of the turntable, will positively initiate the operation of the tripping mechanism.

When a twelve-inch or larger record is released from its support to drop into playing position on the turntable in the manner previously described, the peripheral edge of the twelve-inch record engages a lever 88 (Figs. 5 and 8) which is pivotally connected to the housing 25. One end of the lever 80 is operatively associated with a pin 8|, preferably by resting in a notch out in the pin 8!, shown in Figs. 3 and '7 .of the drawings. When the lever 80 is actuated to pivot in a counterclockwise direction (Fig. 5), the pin 81 is moved vertically upward.

In the upper portion of Fig. 3, there is" shown a spring-biased lever 83 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the base plate 10. A spring 84, connected to the lever 83 and some suitable fixed member such as the bracket 48, normally biases the lever 83 into continuous engagement with the pin 8|, as shown in Fig. 3.

A fixed stop 85 is secured to the base plate I8 with its upturned end 86 positioned in the path of movement of the righthand end (Fig. 3) of the lever 83. When the pin BI is raised, which movement occurs after the L-shaped lever 56 has been moved to its outermost position during a record-changing cycle, the lever 83 is moved in a counterclockwise direction about its axis by the spring 84. The movement of the lever 83,

as described, causes the righthand end of the lever to engage the stop 85, and the lower end of the lever to move into the path of movement of the upper end of the L-shaped lever 56. When the lever 83 is in the latter position, the pin 8| rests on the upper surface of the right-hand end of the lever 83.

It will be noted that a plate 81, which is fixedly secured tothe upper end of the L-shaped lever 56,'is provided with a pivoted spring-biased lever 88 which is capable of being pivoted only in a counterclockwise direction when it is resting against a stop 88A. As the L-shaped lever 56 moves in a clockwise direction under action of the biasing spring 59 to move the pickup arm l4 toward the initial playing groove of a record, the lever 88 moves about its axis as it comes into engagement with the lower end of the lever 83. After the lever 83 is no longer in engagement with the lever 88, the lever 88 is returned by a biasing spring 89 to the position shown in Fig. 3. The continued movement of the L-shaped lever 56 in a clockwise direction brings its heel portion and the upper end of the plate 81 into engagement .with the lower end of the lever 83. This engagement limits the inward movement of the L-shaped lever 56 and therewith the pickup arm 14. At this point, the pickup arm I4 is accurately positioned over the initial playing groove of a twelve-inch record.

After the twelve-inch record is played, a record-changing cycle: is initiated, during which cycle the L-shaped lever 56, by moving in a counterclockwise direction, moves the pickup arm l4 to its outwardmost' position. During this counterclockwise movement of the L-shaped lever 56, thelever 88, fixed against clockwise movement by the stop 88A, engages the lever 83 and moves it in a clockwise direction back to the position shown in Fig. 3. With the lever 83 again locked by the pin 8| in the position shown in Fig. 3, the L-shaped lever 56, when it again moves in a clockwise direction, under the action of the spring 59, will not be impeded by the lever 83 and will be guided far enough inward by the cam surface 58 to position the needle of the pickup arm over the initial playing groove of a 10-inch record. From this description of the pickup arm control means, it is evident that the pickup arm I4 is automatically positioned over the initial playing groove of a 10-inch or 12- inch record, depending upon which size record was last moved to the turntable.

In addition to the automatic operation of the tripping mechanism described above,- there is also provided manual means for actuating the tripping mechanism shown in Fig. 3. This means includes a spring-biased tripping lever 98 which is pivotally connected to the bottom of the base late [0, as shown in Fig. 3- One end of the lever 90 is bent to extend upwardly through ,a slotted aperture in the base plate In (Fig. 3);.,-' The bent end of the lever 98 has afiixed thereto a knob 9|, shown in Fig. l. The other end ofthe lever 90 is adapted to be moved into engagement with the lever 63 by the manual movement of theupturned end of the lever 90. The lever 96 is normally held out of engagement with the lever 64 by'the spring 92 which is connected to the lever 98 andsome suitable fixed member, as shown in Fig. 3. When the lever 98 is manually moved to engage and move the lever 63, the lever 63 is moved far enough to disengage the lever 64, which disengagement initiates a 'record-changing cycle.

In addition to the record-supporting spindle l8 for a stack of intermixed records, there is provided peripheral supports for the stack of intermixed records. The detailed construction of these peripheral record supports is illustrated in detail in Fig. 7. The peripheral supports for 10- inch records include arms 93 and 94 which extend through a pair of rectangular apertures I02 and I03 in the housing 25 (Fig. 7) and are connected together by a shaft 95 which is journalled in the housing 25. The connection of the arms 93 and 94 by the shaft 95 permits the arms 93 and 94 to move in unison in a vertical plane. The arms 93 and 94 are held in a horizontal position by a locking member I which is pivotally connected to the arm 93 and which is adapted to engage the upper end of a plate I III which is fixed to the housing 25 in a suitable manner, such as that shown in Fig. 7. One end of the locking member I00 is adapted to extend above the top surface of the arm 93 in such a position that it may be actuated to move into a non-locking position by a 12-inch supported record but not by a 10-inch supported record. Fixed supports I04 and I05, provided on the housing 25, serve to. engage peripheral edge portions of the lowermost record when the lowermost record is a 12-inch record. Means are also provided for moving the arms 93 and 94 out of the path of a 12-inch record when such a record is in the lowermost supported position. This means includes apin or a rod 96 which is arranged to engage the underside of the arm 93, as shown in Fig. 7. The other end of the pin 96 rests on one end of a lever 91 which is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the shaft 45, as shown in Fig. 3. The other end of the lever 91 is biased by the weight of the pin 96 into engagement with the surface of the cam 98. The cam 98 is provided on the bottom surface of the cam gear 4! and has a cutout portion 99, which is shown clearly in Fig. 1. When the lowermost supported record is a 12-inch record, its

engagement with the upper end of the locking member I00 moves the locking member out of locking position. as described above. As the cam gear M is rotating during a record-changing cycle to move the 12-inch record to playing position on the turntable, the cutout portion 99 of the cam surface 98 moves to allow one end of the lever 91 to come into engagement therewith, thus allowing the lever 91 to pivot about its connection to the shaft 45. The pivotal movement of the lever 91 permits the pin 96 to drop, which, in turn, allows the arms 93, 94 to move from the position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 4. Thereafter, the 12-inch record, which is in the lowermost supported position, is released from the supporting surfaces of the shoulder and the members I04 and I05 and drops unimpeded into playing position on the turntable. By this time, the cam 98 on the cam gear M has rotated so that hte cutout portion 99 is no longer 1 in engagement with one end of the lever 91. The movement of the cam gear 4|, which brings one end of the lever 91 out of engagement with the cutout portion 99, pivots the lever 91 so that the pin 96 is raised. The raising of the pin raises the arms 9.3 and 94 back to the position shown in Fig. '7. The locking member I00, connected to the arm 93, is so shaped and its mass is so distributed that, when the arm 93 is raised back to its supporting position, the locking member I00 rotates into engagement with the plate I00 to lock the arm 93. It is thus evident that the disappearing peripheral supports 93 and 94 are automatically dropped out of the path of a 12-inch record, and, after the 1.2-inch record has been released and drops upon the turntable, the supports 93 and 94 are properly returned to a locked supporting position before the record-changing cycle is completed.

The complete operation of the record-changing apparatus may now be understood from the above detailed description of the operation of its component parts. After a record has been placed in playing position upon the turntable II, and a stack of records has been placed upon the shoulder support 20 of the spindle I8, the motor 29 is turned on and the pickup arm I4 is manually moved to place the needle I6 of the reproducer I3 in the initial playing groove of the record on the turntable. The pickup arm I4 moves inwardly as the needle of the reproducer I 3 tracks the playing groove of the top record on the turntable. As the pickup I4 moves inwardly, it moves therewith the members BI, 62 and 63. When the pickup arm I4 moves into the playing groove of the top record on the turntable, the lever 63 is moved far enough in a counterclockwise direction to disengage the lever 64. The disengagement of the lever 64 by the lever 63 permits the lever 64 to move into the path of the pin provided on the shaft 44. The engagement of the rotating pin 65 with the lower end of the lever 64 moves the lever 54 and therewith the mutilated gear 4| so that the teeth of the mutilated gear 4! mesh with those of the pinion 43, after which the mutilated gear All is driven through one revolution. As the mutilated gear 4I rotates, the surface of the cam 46 pivot the lever 41, which, in turn, raises the pin 5| to raise the pickup arm I4 out of engagement with the record. Continued movement of the mutilated gear 4| causes the surface of the cam 58 to move the L-shaped lever 56 and therewith the lever 53 to swing the pickup arm to its outwardmost position.

Shortly thereafter, the pin 40 on the mutilated gear 4I engages and moves the cam 38, which, in turn, transmits movement to the toggle member 24 connected to the lever 23. In its movement, the toggle member 24 engages the edge of the lowermost supported record and moves this record in a direction normal to the axis of the spindle sufficiently far so that the record drops off the shoulder 20 to playing position on the turntable.

The mutilated gear 4| has by, this time rotated sufiicientlyjar so that the cam 58 allows the L-shaped lever 56 to move clockwise under the action of the biasing spring 59. The clockwise movement of the L-shaped lever 56, by means of the lever 53 and the shaft I5, returns the needle of the pickup arm I4 over the initial playing groove of the record moved to the turntable. After the stylus of the pickup arm I4 is moved over the initial playing groove of the top recordon the turntable, the surface of the moving cam 46 permits the lever 41 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction, which permits the pin 5| to drop downwardly to bring the needle of the pick-up arm I4 into engagement with the initial 1 playing groove of the top record on the turntable.

While there has been heretofore described what is at present considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a phonograph having a turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with a rectance during each revolution of the turntable while said pickup arm is tracking the tripping groove of the record on the turntable, a control member movable by said connecting means, an extension rotatable with said turntable for moving said control member and said connecting means intermittently a corresponding first predetermined distance in the opposite direction relative to the movement imparted thereto by said pickup arm, a projection on said connecting means adapted to engage and move said member in response to the movement imparted to said connecting means by said extension to create a tension in said spring element after the pickup arm reaches a second predetermined distance from the center of the turntable, the tension in said spring element being sufilcient to move said connecting means more than said first predetermined distance after said extension releases said control member and therewith said connecting means and an initiating member normally held out of the path of said extension by said control member, said control member beingadapted to release said initiating member into the path of said extension by a movement greater than said first predetermined distance imparted thereto by said connecting means.

2, In a phonograph having a'turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with a record on the turntable, an initiating mechanism comprising a spring element, a member frictionally associated with said pickup arm and connected thereto by said spring element, connecting means frictionally associated with the pickup arm and being movable thereby a first predetermined distance during each revolution of the turntable while said pickup arm is tracking the playing groove of a record on the turntable, a control member movable by said connecting means, an extension rotatable with said turntable for moving said control member and said connecting means intermittently a corresponding first predetermined distance in the opposite direction relative to the movement imparted thereto by said pickup arm, a projection 'on said connecting means adapted to engage and move said memher in response to the movement imparted to said connecting means by said extension to create a tension in said spring element after the pickup arm reaches a second predetermined distance from the center of the turntable, the tension in said spring element being suflicient to move said connecting means more than said first predetermined distance after said extension releases said control member and therewith said connecting means, and an initiating member normally held out of the path of said extension by said control member, said control member, being adapted to release said initiating member into the path of said extensionby a movement greater than said first predetermined distance imparted thereto by said connecting means.

3. In a phonograph having a turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with a record on the turntable, and initiating mechanism comprising a spring element, a member frictionally associated with said pickup arm and connected thereto by'said spring element, a connecting'member frictionally associated with the pickup arm and being movable thereby a first predetermined distance durin each revolution of the turntable while said pickup arm is tracking the playing groove of a record on the turntable and more than said first predetermined distance during each revolution of the turntable while said pickup arm is tracking the tripping groove of the record on the turntable, a freely movable element responsive to the movement of said connecting member upon movement of the latter by said pickup arm; a control member movable by said freely movable element, an extension rotatable with said turntable for moving said control member, said freely movable element and said connecting means intermittently a corresponding first predetermined distance in the opposite direction relative to the movement imparted thereto by said pickup arm, a projection on said connecting means adapted to engage and move said member in response to the movement imparted to said connecting means by said extension to create a tension in said spring element after said pickup arm reaches a second predetermined distance from the center of the turntable, the tension in said spring element being sufiicient to move said connecting means more than said first predetermined distance after said extension releases said control member and therewith said freely movable element and said connecting means, and an initiating member normally held out of the path of said extension by said control member, said control member being adapted to release said initiating member into the path of said extension by a movement greater than said first predetermined distance imparted thereto by said freely movable element.

4. In a phonograph having a turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with a record on the turntable, an initiating mechanism comprising a connecting means frictionally associated with the pickup arm and being movable thereby a predetermined distance during each revolution of the turntable while said pickup arm is tracking the playing groove of a record on the turntable and more than said predetermined distance during each revolution of the turntable while said pickup arm is tracking the tripping groove of the record on the turntable, a control member movable by said connecting means in a first direction, an extension rotatable with'said turntable for moving said control member and said connecting means intermittently a corresponding predetermined distance in an opposite direction to said first direction after, they have been moved said predetermined distance in said first direction, and an initiating member normally held out of the path of said extension by said control means, said control member being adapted to release said initiating member into the path of said extension by a movement greater than said predetermined distance in said first direction imparted thereto by said connecting means.

5. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with'a record on said turntable; an initiating apparatus comprising a driving means rotatable with said turntable; connecting means slidably connected with said pickup arm and being movable thereby a predetermined distance in a first direction into the path of said driving means during a revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking a playing groove of a record on said turntable and more than said predetermined distance in said first direction during a revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking a tripping groove of a record on said turntable, said driving means moving said connecting means relative to said pickup arm said predetermined distance opposite to said first direction after said connecting means is moved into the path of said driving means; means biasconnected to said pickup arm and associated with said connecting means for moving said connecting means in said first direction a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said pickup arm reaches a predetermined distance from the center of said turntable; and initiating means normally held out of the path of said driving means by said connecting means, said connecting means being adapted to release said initiating means into the path of said driving means to be driven thereby when said connecting means is moved more than said predetermined distance in said first direction.

6. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with a record on said turntable; an initiating apparatus comprising a driving means rotatable with said turntable; connecting means frictionally connected with said pickup arm and being movable thereby a predetermined distance in a first direction into the path oi said driving means during a revolution 01' said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking a playing groove oi a record on said turntable and more than said predetermined distance in said first direction during a revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking a tripping groove of a record on said turntable, said driving means moving said connecting means relative to 'said pickup arm said predetermined distance opposite to said first.

direction alter said connecting means is moved into the path of said driving means; means resiliently connected to said pickup arm and associated with said connecting means for moving said connecting means in said first direction a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said pickup arm reaches a predetermined distance irom the center of said turntable; and initiating means normally held out of the path of said driving means by said connecting means, said connecting means being adapted to release said initiating means into the path of said driving means to be driven thereby when said connecting means is moved more than said predetermined distance in said first direction.

"1. In an automatic phonograph having a turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with a record on said turntable; an initiating apparatus comprising a driving means rotatable with said turntable; actuating means adapted to be moved into operative engagement with said driving means, connecting means slidably connected with said pick-up arm and being movable thereby a predetermined distance in a first direction into the path of said driving means during a revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking a playing groove of a record on said turntable and more than said predetermined distance in said first direction during a revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking a tripping groove of a record on said turntable, said driving means moving said connecting, means relative to said pickup arm said predetermined distance opposite to said first direction after said connecting means is moved into the path of said driving means; means bias-connected to said pickup arm and associated with said connecting means for moving said connecting means in said first direction a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said pickup arm reaches a predetermined distance from the center 'of said turntable; and initiating means operatively associated with said actuating means and normally held out of the path of said driving means by said connecting means, said connecting means being adapted to release said initiating means into the path of said driving means when said connecting means is moved more than said predetermined distance in said first direction whereby said initiating means and said driving means cooperate in moving said actuating means into driving engagement with said driving means.

8. Inan automatic phonograph having a turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with a record on said turntable; an initiating apparatus comprising driving means rotatabi'e with said turntable; connecting means slidably connected with said pickup arm and being movable thereby a predetermined distance in a first direction into the path of said driving means during a revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking the playing groove of a record on said turntable and more than said predetermined distance in said first direction during a revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking the tripping groove of a record on said turntable, said driving means moving said connecting means relative to said pickup arm said predetermined distance opposite to said first direction after said connecting means is moved into the path of said driving means; means bias-connected to said pickup arm and associated with said connecting means for moving said connecting means in said first direction a distance greater than said predetermined distance when said pickup arm reaciies a predetermined distance from the center of said turntable; and actuating means associated with said connecting means and normally out'of operative engagement with said driving means, said actuating means being movable by said driving means alter said connecting means is moved more than said predetermined distance.

9. In a phonograph having a turntable and a movable pickup arm for cooperating with a record on said turntable; an initiating apparatus comprising connecting means slidably connected with said pickup arm and being movable thereby a predetermined distance during each revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking a playing groove of a record on said turntabie and more than said predetermined distance during each revolution of said turntable when said pickup arm is tracking a tripping groove of a record on said turntable; driving means rotatable with said turntable for moving said connecting means intermittently a corresponding predetermined distance opposite to said first direction after it has been moved said predetermined distance in said first direction; and initiating means normally held out of the pathof said driving means by said connecting means, said connecting means being adapted to release said initiating means into the path of said driving means to be driven thereby when pickup arm is tracking a tripping groove of a able with said turntable for moving said conneting means intermittently a corresponding prede termined distance opposite to said first direction after it has been moved said predetermined distance in said first direction; and actuating means associated with said connecting means and adapted to be driven by said driving means after said connecting means is moved more than said predetermined distance in said first direction.

ARTHUR L. KNOX.

record on said turntable; driving means rotat- ,l 

